Assessment of Knowledge among Dental Patients regarding Second wave of Corona virus Disease

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the dental patients' knowledge and perspectives with respect to the second wave of COVID-19. Materials and methods A self-designed questionnaire was sent as a google forms link via WhatsApp and a few patients who had no access to WhatsApp, were asked to fill out a hand printed form. The completed questionnaires were then analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (IBM version 22). Results: A total of 350 participants were included in the study, out of which 38% were male and 62% were female. Result was calculated using binary logistic regression analysis for different variables to predict the confidence level based on their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding second wave of COVID-19. Conclusion: Our study concluded that there is more than satisfactory level of knowledge regarding COVID-19 and People are aware of the basic protocols which help in protection against the virus owing to easy access of information

Poverty Status and Factors Affecting Household Poverty in Southern Punjab: An Empirical Analysis

The strategies expected to mitigate poverty tend to identify factors that are closely related to poverty and that could have influenced the policy implications. A household level data was collected to examine the poverty status and factors affecting poverty in Southern Punjab. A logistic regression technique was employed for the present analyses. The findings show that age and education of the household head, own house, spouse participation, remittances, number of earners in the household and physical assets reduces the probability of being poor in Southern Punjab. However, large household size, occupation in the primary sector, high dependency ratio and mental disability are associated with an increased probability of being poor in Southern Punjab. Government should adopt effective policy measures to generate employment and encourage the attainment of education for the poor households for the mitigation of poverty in this region

Depressive Symptoms Among Asthmatic and Non-Asthmatic Patients Attending Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), Peshawar

The purpose of the present research was to investigate the difference between the depressive symptoms among asthmatic and non-asthmatics. The total sample consisted of sixty (n=60) participants that included thirty (n=30) asthmatics and thirty (n=30) non-asthmatics both males and females. Convenient sampling technique was used in sample selection. The Beck Depression scale was used. Data was collected from the asthmatic patients in the Khyber Teaching Hospital. It was hypothesized that asthmatics will have more depressive symptoms than the non-asthmatics. The results supported the hypothesis (p<0.01). The female asthmatics scored slightly higher on scale of depression than male asthmatics

AN ASSESSMENT OF OVARIAN CANCER FEMALE PATIENTS' DEATH AND SURVIVAL RATE AFTER SURGICAL INTERVENTION: NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY VERSUS PRIMARY DEBULKING SURGERY

Objective: The main purpose of the study is to determine the survival and death rate of the female after surgical operation. This is determined by the two different methods of treatment between the females suffering from ovarian cancer. Methods: The study arranged was of a retroactive type and it was held at Mayo Hospital, Lahore from February to September 2017. The study was associated with the data obtained in 1999 and 2008 about the female’s treatment suffering from ovarian cancer. The clinical data obtained during the previous analysis was again studied and revised. And similar knowledge was obtained about the environmental, medical, therapeutically, pathological aspects of studies. Overall existence of patients was compared with growthfree existence. The comparison was made between patients who went either debulking surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery. Mathematical identification was performed by using SPSS. Results: Total 118 patients were undergone surgical cure. Out of which 66% gained the primary debulking surgery and rest of the 34% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The average age and tumour antigen 125 level before treatment was same. In the debulking group, two stages of patients were identified. That group had 94.8% patients with stage 3 carcinoma and 5.1% stage 4 carcinoma. While in other groups the percentage of patients in stage 3 and 4 were 80% and 20% correspondingly. The most favourable occurrence of debulking was 56.8% in the earlier group as compared to 79.4% in the second group. At the time of surgery, the total loss of blood was recorded as 1500 ml. The loss of blood was almost the same in the different exhaustive care unit. In addition to the loss of blood, the rate of urinary swathe, bowel grievance and bowel reactions were also analogous. The growth free existence was also comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Equivalent existence rates and peri-operative difficulties can be created by neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by intermission debulking. Keywords: Ovarian epithelial cancer, Chemotherapy, Gynecological surgical procedure, Survival analysis

Diagnostic dilemma of patients with methylmalonic aciduria: Experience from a tertiary care centre in Pakistan

Objective: To determine the frequency of disorders leading to methylmalonic acidurias. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2013 to April 2016 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised patients diagnosed with methylmalonic acidurias based on urine organic acid analysis. Clinical history and biochemical data was collected from the biochemical genetics laboratory requisition forms. Organic acid chromatograms of all the subjects were critically reviewed by a biochemical pathologist and a metabolic physician. For assessing the clinical outcome, medical charts of the patients were reviewed. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. Results: Of the 1,778 patients 50(2.81%) were detected with methylmalonic acidurias. After excluding patients with non-significant peaks of methylmalonic acidemia, 41(2.31%) were included in the final analysis. Of these, 20(48.7%) were females, while the overall median age was 11.5 months (interquartile range: 6-41.5). On stratification by type of disorders leading to methylmalonic acidurias, 9(22%) had methylmalonic acidemia, 12(29%) had Cobalamin-related remethylation disorders, nonspecific methylmalonic acidurias in 16(39%), while 2(5%) each had succinyl coenzyme A synthetase and Vitamin B12 deficiency. respectively. Conclusion: Screening tests, including urine organic acid, provided valuable clues to the aetiology of methylmalonic acidurias

Causes of Smoking in College Students

This study was aimed at investigating smoking and causes of cigarette smoking among college students of Warsak Road Peshawar. The sample consisted of forty (N=40) students of Warsak Model School and College and Peshawar Public School and College. Average age of the students was 18.7. Among the 100 students, 40 were smokers while 60 were non-smokers. Convenient sampling technique was used for selection of the sample. Structured survey questionnaire was used for data collection. The objectives of the study were To provide an initial estimate on the frequency of cigarette smoking among students of college level on Warsak road Peshawar and explore causes of smoking in these students. Cross-sectional study design was used. The study was a small scale one due to limited financial resources and a short time frame. Students were busy in their annual exams and thus could not fully co-operate. The results revealed the main reasons for smoking were fashion and style, tension due to studies and family problems. Twenty-five (n=25) out of forty (n=40) students smoke more than 2 cigarettes per day. Out of forty (N=40) smoker students twenty-four (n=24) were introduced to smoking by their friends, 10 students by class-fellows, three (n=3) by relatives, one(n=1) by parents, two (n=2) by other people. 54 out of 60 non-smokers agreed that smoking is a bad habit. Cigarette smoking is very common among college students. Further in depth research is recommended to assess the frequency of smoking on a larger scale. Health education and awareness should be promoted in young adults in order to decrease the frequency of smoking

CT analysis of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in normal BMI subjects: association with level of physical activity and hypertension

Background: The distribution of adipose tissue, complex factors affecting it and its pathological consequences are among the hot topics in medical research nowadays. Most of the studies reported in the literature however describe the association of factors affecting the fat distribution in overweight and obese individuals. This particular study was however planned to find out the same in subjects having normal basal metabolic index (BMI). The objectives of the study were to analyze total adipose tissue (TAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in the abdomen volumetrically using CT, to establish the association of these to the levels of physical activity, presence or absence of hypertension and to compare these associations in both the genders.Methods: A prospective study was carried out on seventy five, normal BMI subjects aged between 20–50 years. CT imaging was used for volumetric measurement of TAT, SAT and VAT. Pearson’s correlation of these were then found out with age. Kruskal Wallis test was also performed to compare these in hypertensive and non-hypertensive subjects and in those with different physical activity levels (PAL).Results: Women showed significantly higher volumes of TAT and SAT. Men showed statistically significant correlations of TAT and VAT with age. SAT volumes had significant negative association with the PAL in both genders. Men showed higher responsiveness of fat deposition in all compartments to the presence of hypertension.Conclusion: In conclusion, factors such as gender, age, level of physical activity and hypertension affect the site specific deposition of fat even in those individuals who aren’t over-weight or obese.Keywords: Total Adipose Tissue (TAT); Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue (SAT); Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT

Impact of conflict on maternal and child health service delivery: A country case study of Afghanistan

Introduction: Since decades, the health system of Afghanistan has been in disarray due to ongoing conflict. We aimed to explore the direct effects of conflict on provision of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH&N) services and describe the contextual factors influencing these services.Method: We conducted a quantitative analysis of secondary data on RMNCAH&N indicators and undertook a supportive qualitative study to help understand processes and contextual factors. For quantitative analysis, we stratified the various provinces of Afghanistan into minimal-, moderate- and severe conflict categories based on battle-related deaths from Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) and through accessibility of health services using a Delphi methodology. The coverage of RMNCAH&N indicators across the continuum of care were extracted from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). The qualitative data was captured by conducting key informant interviews of multi-sectoral stakeholders working in government, NGOs and UN agencies.Results: Comparison of various provinces based on the severity of conflict through Delphi process showed that the mean coverage of various RMNCAH&N indicators including antenatal care (OR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.32-0.55), facility delivery (OR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.32-0.56), skilled birth attendance (OR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.33-0.57), DPT3 (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.20-0.33) and oral rehydration therapy (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.25-0.55) was significantly lower for severe conflict provinces when compared to minimal conflict provinces. The qualitative analysis identified various factors affecting decision making and service delivery including insecurity, cultural norms, unavailability of workforce, poor monitoring, lack of funds and inconsistent supplies. Other factors include weak stewardship, capacity gap at the central level and poor coordination at national, regional and district level.Conclusion: RMNCAH&N service delivery has been significantly hampered by conflict in Afghanistan over the last several years. This has been further compromised by poor infrastructure, weak stewardship and poor capacity and collaboration at all levels. With the potential of peace and conflict resolution in Afghanistan, we would underscore the importance of continued oversight and integrated implementation of sustainable, grass root RMNCAH&N services with a focus on reaching the most marginalized